Continuing Education
ufv.ca/ceThe Medical Office Assistant certificate program is designed to prepare students to work as medical office assistants in the medical field.
UFV also offers an Advanced Medical Office Assistant certificate.
Note: Applicants are required to submit documentation for the requirements listed below. The first two should be sent to the Office of the Registrar; typing certification and criminal record check should be sent to Continuing Education.
Note 1: It is assumed that applicants will possess basic computer skills.
Note 2: A typing speed of 40 net wpm is required for graduation from this program.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.
Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.
Please see the Continuing Education webpage for current fee information. See the Fees and Other Costs section for additional information.
Financial aid is available from a variety of sources. For more information contact the Financial Aid and Awards office at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. A variety of bursary applications are also available from the Financial Aid and Awards offices.
The Medical Office Assistant certificate is four and a half months in duration and is completed in a full-time capacity.
The program is located at the Clearbrook Centre in Abbotsford.
The program is comprised of eight modules. Students complete a combination of theory and practice-related exercises before participating in a two-week medical office practicum placement. The practicum is followed by a one-week in-class final program review.
The eight modules are:
In order to qualify for the practicum module, students must have successfully completed all previous coursework and attendance requirements.
When students qualify for a practicum, UFV Continuing Education will assign them a placement that provides them with meaningful work-like experience and exposure to a medical office.
Practicum placements reflect the business practices of the practicum host, which includes placement during standard business hours. Transportation to the practicum site is students' responsibility and may require travel outside their community of residence. If a student refuses an assigned practicum site they will need to find their own site and obtain departmental approval prior to the start of their practicum.
Please discuss any barriers that may affect practicum assignment with UFV Continuing Education immediately after registration.
Students will be evaluated for each module in the program on classroom participation, classroom assignments, study projects, and by examination.
Students must successfully complete the theory component with a grade average of 80% and an attendance record of 90%. Students must successfully complete all theory components prior to practicum placement.
To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete both theory and practicum.
Contact Continuing Education at 604-851-6324, or 604-504-7441 local 6324, or toll-free (within Canada) 1-888-504-7441 local 6324, or continuingeducation@ufv.ca.